STUDENT PROFILES

Check out these eclectic student profiles, illustrating the diverse academic courses, co-curriculars, clubs, sports and leadership experiences O’Dowd offers.

QUINCY

"Leadership has been central to my O’Dowd experience. I served as Class President from 9-11th grade, and now I’m Associated Student Body President. I’ve learned how important collaboration, empathy, and communication are to leadership. In the future, I hope to build bridges between people and help communities grow stronger together."

AP and Honors Courses: AP Computer Science Principles, AP Psychology, AP African American Studies, Honors Spanish 3, AP Spanish
Clubs: The United Brothers of O'Dowd; Black Student Union; Latinos Unidos; Ubuntu Club
Sports: Basketball
Extra-Curriculars: Capoeira; Study Abroad with Council on International Educational Exchange and The Experiment in International Living
Service Projects: Summer Reading Program, San Leandro Public Library; Tutor the Tigers, Franklin Elementary School; Ecology Project International (Species Preservation)
Leadership Positions: Class President 9th, 10th, 11th Grades; President, Associated Student, Executive Member, Black Student Union
Work Experience: Camp Counselor, O’Dowd Summer Academy
Awards: 2023 Dragon Spirit Award

BELLA

"My O’Dowd teachers never stop believing in me. They hold me to high expectations, while also supporting me to meet them. Because of my teachers, I discovered a love for science that has led me to not only take upper level STEM courses, but to launch new study groups for my peers in AP Calculus and Physics. O’Dowd creates an environment that supports me to believe in my own abilities as a scientist. In college, I now plan to major in Physics."

AP/Honors Courses: Honors Precalculus, Honors English 2, Honors Spanish 3, AP English Language, AP Physics 1, AP Calc BC, AP Literature, AP Spanish, AP Government, Honors Chemistry, Honors Multivariable Calculus, and AP Physics 2 (independent study)
Clubs: Jewish Student Union
Leadership: Lead Peer Tutors, Holocaust Remembrance Assembly Planning Committee, Class Representative, Student Technical Director (Theater)
Awards: 1st Honor Roll; Academic Excellence Award; Exemplary Service Award (Jewish Student Union; 201 Club (over 200 Service Learning Hours)

CHRIS

"Campus Ministry does a wonderful job creating opportunities for us to reflect on our values and discover our spirituality. For me, the peak experience was the Kairos Retreat, which was a life changing moment that affected how I see the world, God, my family and friends. O’Dowd’s open and accepting community has helped me to grow in my faith."

AP/Honors Courses: Honors English 2, Honors French 3, AP Computer Science A, AP Statistics, AP Precalculus, AP French, AP Calculus, AP Physics C Mechanics, AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism, AP Physics 2, AP Micreconomics
Clubs: Mathletes; Filipino Club
Sports: Basketball; Track & Field
Extra-Curriculars: Math Tournaments; Science Olympiads; Hackathons
Service Projects: Canticle Farms; Kids Against Hunger; Shepherd's Gate Ministry for Women and Children
Leadership Positions: Team Captain, Track & Field; President, Mathletes; Campus Ministry Team; Youth Representative, Pastoral Council, Catholic Community of Pleasanton
Work Experience: Internships with PaidWork, Enki, and Forefront Venture Partners; Lifeguard and Swim Instructor, Dublin Wave
Awards: Honor Roll, National Honors Society, California Scholarship Federation

OCIAN

“Before O’Dowd, I wasn’t familiar with journalism. But I stepped out of my comfort zone to get involved in The Crozier and the yearbook and along the way learned all the fundamentals of reporting, interviewing, and documenting. Now I’m the Editor-In-Chief of Student Publications, which has helped me to grow as a leader and guide my peers to collaborate. I’m motivated to pursue a career in journalism, so I can combine my interest in writing and advocacy.”

AP/Honors Courses: Honors Chemistry, Honors English 2, Honors Spanish 3, AP Calculus AB, AP English Literature, AP English Language and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Microeconomics, AP Human Geography, AP Spanish Language
Clubs: UNICEF Club, President
Sports: Tennis
Co-Curriculars: Theater
Service Projects: Franklin Recreation Center (Children and Youth Program); Ecology Project International (Species Preservation); National Environmental Science Center (Ecosystem Preservation)
Leadership Positions: Solidarity In Action Advanced Leadership Team; Editor-in-Chief, Student Publications
Awards: National Honor Society; Honor Roll; Academic Excellence Award

JACK

“What I love about O'Dowd is how the community supports students to forge a path around their unique passions. I love fishing, oceanography, and aquaculture. With teachers like Ms. Souza and Mrs. Gray I've been able to start a fishing club at O'Dowd, and even partner with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to pilot youth fishing clubs that could expand to public schools across the state! I'm also working to pass legislation to keep our oceans clean, and my peers with Solidarity in Action have jumped to help me drive this agenda with local and statewide environmental organizations. This community doesn't just say yes. O'Dowd gives enthusiastic support to all of our dreams.”

AP/Honors Courses: Honors Chemistry, Honors English 2, Honors Spanish 3, AP United States History, AP Language, AP Environmental Science, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus AB, AP English Literature, AP Government, AP Comparative Government, AP Stats, AP Biology
Clubs: Fishing Appreciation and Conservation Club (Partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife); Latinos Unidos
Sports: Varsity Tennis
Service Projects: Counselor In Training, Optimist Volunteers For Youth (OVY Camp); Counselor In Training, Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center Leadership Program
Leadership: Co-President, National Honor Society Executive Board; Publicist, Associated Student Body; Representative, Class Council
Extra-Curriculars: Founder, Stop The Caps; Researcher, CA Collaborative Fisheries Research Program (CCFRP); Intern, Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN); Youth Leader, Zero Waste Youth San Diego; Youth Leader, National Ocean & Atmospheric Administration Ocean Guardian Program
Awards: National Merit Commended Scholar 2025; National Hispanic Recognition Award 2024; AP Scholar with Distinction 2025; 201 Service Award 2024, Academic Excellence Award; NCS President’s List Award, CA Scholarship Federation

LONDON

"I joined Mock Trial as a 9th grader and the team was so inclusive. I immediately felt like I belonged. My Mock Trial friends have helped me navigate everything related to O'Dowd, and pushed me out of my shell, socially. I remember winning a Mock Trial award in Chicago as a 9th grader and how my team encouraged me to stay for the celebration, instead of just taking my award back to my room! That was big growth for me. Now I want to support the incoming 9th graders in Mock Trial, and guide them in the same way I was guided. Ultimately, I want to be an attorney. I have already interned for the San Francisco Public Defender's Office and the Alameda County District Attorney. I'm really grateful how the Mock Trial team at O'Dowd has helped me reach my goals, academically and socially!"

AP/Honors Courses: AP Human Geography, Honors Chemistry, AP US History, AP African American Studies, Honors Spanish 3, AP Government, AP Psychology, AP Statistics
Clubs: Law Club, Feminist Club, Black Student Union, Sisters of Success
Sports: Soccer
Co-Curriculars: Mock Trial
Extra-Curriculars: Youth Leadership Summit, Harvard Black Student Association (BSA)
Service Projects: Mercy Brown Bag Volunteer; Alameda County Bar Association Volunteer
Leadership Positions: President, Law Club; Executive Council, BSU; Captain, Mock Trial; Advanced Leader, Solidarity in Action
Internships: City Attorney Office, Hayward; Public Defenders Office, San Francisco; District Attorney's Office, Alameda County
Awards: Lead Speaker, African American Leaders for Tomorrow; Record Holder, Service Learning Hours, Bishop O’Dowd High School; Outstanding Witness Award, Empire Mock Trial; Outstanding Attorney Award, Alameda County Mock Trial

ABABACAR

"My father is from Senegal and I am part of the tradition of West African musicians, storytellers and poets, called griots. When I am drumming, I am telling a story. It's how I connect to myself, to God, and to my ancestors. At O'Dowd, Mr. Green has been a special teacher and mentor because he knows so much about West African history and culture. His knowledge helps me to know where I came from. For example, I knew the pentatonic scale, but I didn't know that it has roots in ancient civilizations in Africa! Mr. Green even took our class on a field trip with singer/songwriter Bobby McFarin and I got to play my drum, which was amazing. Now I'm taking what I learned from Mr. Green and teaching drumming to other students who are hungry to learn. It feels spiritual, sharing my heritage at O'Dowd. It feels like I'm coming full circle."

AP/Honors Courses: AP African American Studies
Clubs: Black Student Union
Sports: Rugby
Co-Curriculars: Symphonic Band; Honors Jazz Band
Extra-Curriculars: Apprentice Musician, Diamano Coura West African Dance Company
Service Projects: Tutor & Music Teacher, Ile Omode School; Assistant, Alvin Ailey Dance Company
Leadership Positions: Executive Council, BSU
Awards: Dragon Spirit Award; Leadership Award, BSU